Both cars down now

29th August 2017, 17:19

Both cars have let me down now .
s6 hall sender and other issues. in another thread,and now the s2
The s2 suddenly started to get hot for no reason after a few miles, and pushed water out of the header tank.
Under the bonnet it stinks of electrical burning around the radiator fan.
I suspected the fan motor , but it came on with the after run pump
If any one has any ideas it would much appreciated.

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On the 3B it is a two speed fan so its not impossible that one stage might burn out I guess. If the after run works then that is connected through the resistor to the first stage speed which is shared with the first proper speed (stage 2). The other stage (stage 3) is the higher temperature speed which would draw more current so its a likely culprit.

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Of course thats the effect, the cause needs to be investigated!
You need to determine that the electrical system (the rad switch/Relay) are functioning as they should. The fan should drop in and out so if its been running continously due to either a faulty switch or stuck relay, then that might be a cause. I don't recall seing any protection on that circuit such as a fusible link.

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Just thought I would mention that the after run circuit is independent of the radiator switch circuit!
Obviously the Bank Holiday was the warmest since the car was built. In ordinary use the high speed rarely comes on so perhaps it shat itself when suddendly awakened from its slumber. As the after run circuit operates the first stage speed then that suggests thats still functional, at least at the power level through the resistor.

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Found the problem,. The starter was stuck in .
I have had an issue with the ignition switch just recently, lights come on when you turn the key but it wont start .
The car really stinks under the bonnet and I assumed it was the fan motor as it did seem to smell the strongest there plus the fact that it got hot.
Took it all out as I have a spare ,but it was all fine
Put it all back together fearing the worst I decided to do a compression test but the car would not turn over.
Had a look at the starter and could see it had gotten hot.
So of it came ,and it was locked solid.
So I can only assume that the heat and resistance caused by this increased the temperature of the engine enough to push the water out of the header tank, as the car is all back together and seems to be fine.
Except of course for the ignition switch .
I have ordered a new switch, now I have to figure out how to fit it.
Oh the joys of classic car ownership.

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you want to get out and buy a lottery ticket with your luck! Hope you manage to one sorted and working again. If any consolation my 3b is flying on 4 axle stands at the moment waiting for a host of bits again to get it through the MOT and beyond. I never gets easier maintaining these cars does it